News Release

$20,000 Awarded for Spay and Neuter Services Statewide

The Missouri Department of Agriculture today announced $20,000 in grant funding to assist organizations across the state in providing low cost spay and neuter services. The funding comes from the Missouri Spay & Neuter Grant Program, which helps animal shelters, humane societies and non-profit rescue groups working to address pet overpopulation with the cost of spaying and neutering animals.

"By awarding these grants to shelters and charitable organizations with low-cost spay/neuter initiatives, we ensure as many dogs and cats as possible receive this veterinary care," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "These organizations' dedication to animal care is a true service that has made, and continues to make, a significant difference for their communities and the animals that may have otherwise gone without."

Ten groups from across Missouri have each been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Missouri Spay & Neuter Grant Program. Since 2009, the program has awarded at least $20,000 in grants annually. This year's grants bring the total contributions through the program to more than $100,000. The grants will aid each organization's efforts to provide spay and neuter services to low income individuals and to subsidize the cost of operations for adoptions at local animal shelters and rescue groups. The ten grants were awarded to:

The Missouri Spay & Neuter Grant Program is funded by sales of the "I'm Pet Friendly" license plates through the Missouri Department of Revenue. Each sale of the plate donates $20 to the Missouri Pet Spay/Neuter Fund, which is administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Missourians do not have to wait till their current plates expire but may obtain "I'm Pet Friendly" license plates at any time by visiting their nearest license office or the Department of Revenue online at dor.mo.gov.

A three-member committee comprised of animal control and private humane society members from around the state evaluates each application and selects the grant recipients. Applications for the 2013 grant program were due to the Missouri Department of Agriculture no later than February 15, 2013.

For more information on "I'm Pet Friendly" license plates and the Missouri Department of Agriculture's animal care programs, visit mda.mo.gov.

Department of Agriculture News

The most recent news stories from the Missouri Department of Agriculture can be found on our News Releases page. For more information, contact the department’s Public Information Office at (573) 751-2613 or Sarah.Alsager@mda.mo.gov.